Blu-Ray Players + DVDs

[DisneyFreak5282]

I'm hoping to get a Blu-Ray player and HDTV for my room for Christmas (I have an HD TV downstairs but no Blu-Ray player). I was wondering, do Blu-Ray players really slightly improve the picture quality on regualr DVDs? I've heard that but I'm not sure. For instance, I know Columbia/Sony DVDs always have printed on the back "Mastered" or "Remastered" (depending on which movie or TV show it is) "in High Definition". Would that look better on a Blu-Ray player?

I guess now I've really started to become concerned because of next week's release of Sleeping Beauty. I will definitely be getting it on DVD, but if I get a Blu-Ray player for Christmas I'll also buy it for the exclusives.

Also, if I burn a DVD or record shows using my DVD recorder onto a DVD +/- R, will that work on a Blu-Ray player? Chances are if I get an HDTV, I'll just have both hooked up anyway.

[Eeeevah!]

I am not too familiar with blu-ray but I thought that it was a new technology. Not just an upgrade of DVDs but more like the relationship between CDs and DVDs, and therefore wouldn't play DVDs, but on Googling I'm finding people saying that they should be backwards compatible. So if you plan on using it like this, I would just check with the manufacturer first.

[CornyCollins]

Blu-Ray players have the capability to upscale a DVD to NEAR HD quality - but it could never be Blu-Ray quality. I can see a different watching a DVD, but Blu-Ray's usually look a lot better.

Yes, many Blu-Ray players play DVD-R or DVD+R - I know mine does and you're best bet would be to look at different models that you are interested in just to make sure - although I can't imagine one would be available that couldn't play a DVD you made yourself.

From what I understand, "Sleeping Beauty" on Blu-Ray will come with the DVD version so you could just buy the Blu-Ray anyway. I could be wrong, but I think that's how it is going to work.

I hope I helped a little.

[DarthPrime]

Upscaling on a Blu-ray player depends on the player (some are better than others), your TV (the TV could be better than the player in upscaling to the native res of the TV), and the DVD your going to watch. Overall its a better picture than what you get on a non-upscaling player, but its nowhere near Blu-ray quality.

All Blu-ray players will upscale a DVD as far as I know. If you don't want a PS3 the Sony BDP-350 is a excellent player. Its only Profile 1.1 right now, but will be upgraded before the end of 2008 with a new firmware to enable 2.0. The current retail price for it is the same as the PS3's $399 price. However it can already be found under $300, and a price drop to $299 is rumored to be coming this fall. When the price drops to $299 officially you should be able to find it closer to $200.

If you are getting a player this Christmas I would go ahead and get the Blu-ray of Sleeping Beauty. It includes a DVD of the movie so you could go ahead and watch it. Then when you get your Blu-ray player you would already have the Blu-ray of the movie ready to go.

[DisneyFreak5282]

Thanks! And unless I've missed something, I don't think the Blu-Ray version of Sleeping Beauty comes with the DVD version?

[DarthPrime]

Thanks! And unless I've missed something, I don't think the Blu-Ray version of Sleeping Beauty comes with the DVD version?

From what I've heard it includes Disc 1 of the 2 Disc DVD set. You get the movie, but not the bonus features from Disc 2. Amazon lists the Blu-ray as having a bonus DVD of the movie and its a 3 disc set (2 Blu-rays, 1 DVD).

[DisneyFreak5282]

Thanks! And unless I've missed something, I don't think the Blu-Ray version of Sleeping Beauty comes with the DVD version?

From what I've heard it includes Disc 1 of the 2 Disc DVD set. You get the movie, but not the bonus features from Disc 2. Amazon lists the Blu-ray as having a bonus DVD of the movie and its a 3 disc set (2 Blu-rays, 1 DVD).

Hmm. This puts a whole new spin on things for me.

[SleepingBeautyAurora]

Is it possible to connect a Blu-ray player to a standard TV ?
What cables/cords do I need ?

[DarthPrime]

Is it possible to connect a Blu-ray player to a standard TV ?
What cables/cords do I need ?

You can connect a Blu-ray player (or PS3) to a standard TV and it will work, but you want get the benefit of the HD picture. The standard composite (yellow/white/red) cables will be what you need. Some Blu-ray players have a option for S-Video. Its a little better picture, but still only 480i.

[SleepingBeautyAurora]

Is it possible to connect a Blu-ray player to a standard TV ?
What cables/cords do I need ?

You can connect a Blu-ray player (or PS3) to a standard TV and it will work, but you want get the benefit of the HD picture. The standard composite (yellow/white/red) cables will be what you need. Some Blu-ray players have a option for S-Video. Its a little better picture, but still only 480i.

I want to get a HD TV in the future but right now that is not possible. Anyway, Thanks for your help DarthPrime.

[DisneyFreak5282]

I just thought of that too. And although the picture won't be as good on a standard TV, will the quality be a little better at least? Or will it just be like watching a regular DVD?

[DarthPrime]

The quality might be a little better, but it will probably be hard to tell from a good DVD transfer.

I probably want be able to pickup a HDTV until next year, but with falling Blu-ray prices (under $200 for some players) I have thought about getting a player and buying Blu-rays instead of DVDs.